He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. He who goes out weepingThe phrase begins with a vivid image of sorrow and distress. The Hebrew root for "weeping" is "בָּכָה" (bakah), which conveys a deep, heartfelt lamentation. In the historical context of ancient Israel, this could reflect the sorrow of the Israelites during their captivity or times of national distress. The act of going out weeping suggests a journey or a task undertaken despite personal grief, symbolizing the perseverance of faith even in times of hardship. bearing a trail of seed
The imagery of "bearing a trail of seed" is rich with agricultural symbolism. The Hebrew word for "seed" is "זֶרַע" (zera), which not only refers to literal seeds but also metaphorically to offspring or future potential. In ancient agrarian societies, sowing seed was an act of hope and faith, trusting that the labor and the seed would eventually yield a harvest. Spiritually, this can be seen as the believer's faithfulness in sowing righteousness or good works, even when immediate results are not visible. will surely return
The assurance in "will surely return" speaks to the certainty of God's promises. The Hebrew verb "שׁוּב" (shuv) means to return or to restore. This reflects the biblical theme of restoration and redemption, a core promise throughout Scripture. Historically, this could be seen as a promise to the Israelites of their return from exile, but it also applies to the personal restoration believers experience through faith in God's faithfulness. with songs of joy
The transformation from weeping to "songs of joy" highlights the profound change that God's intervention brings. The Hebrew word for "joy" is "רִנָּה" (rinah), which implies a shout of joy or a triumphant cry. This phrase captures the essence of the Christian hope: that sorrow and suffering are temporary, and joy will ultimately prevail. It is a reminder of the joy that comes from seeing God's promises fulfilled, both in this life and in the eternal life to come. carrying sheaves with him
The final image of "carrying sheaves with him" completes the cycle of sowing and reaping. "Sheaves" (Hebrew: "אֲלֻמָּה" - alummah) are bundles of harvested grain, symbolizing the abundance and reward of faithful labor. In the biblical context, this represents the blessings and fruitfulness that result from perseverance and trust in God. Spiritually, it signifies the ultimate reward of the believer's faith and works, culminating in the joy of a bountiful harvest in God's kingdom. This imagery encourages believers to remain steadfast, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain. Persons / Places / Events 1. The SowerRepresents those who labor and invest in God's work, often with tears and sacrifice. 2. The FieldSymbolizes the world or the mission field where the seeds of God's word and deeds are sown. 3. The SeedRepresents the Word of God or acts of faith and obedience, sown with hope and expectation. 4. The HarvestThe joyful outcome of the sower's labor, symbolizing spiritual or material blessings. 5. The ReturnThe fulfillment of God's promises, where the sower comes back with joy and abundance. Teaching Points Perseverance in FaithJust as the sower goes out weeping, we are called to persevere in our faith and duties, even when it is difficult or painful. Hope in God's PromisesThe promise of returning with joy encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness and timing. The Power of the SeedOur actions and words, when aligned with God's will, have the potential to produce a bountiful harvest. Joy in the HarvestThe joy of the harvest is a reminder of the eternal rewards and blessings that come from faithful service. Community and SupportThe imagery of returning with sheaves suggests the importance of sharing our joy and blessings with others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of sowing and reaping in Psalm 126:6 encourage you in your current life circumstances? 2. In what ways can you relate the concept of "going out weeping" to your personal spiritual journey? 3. How can the promise of returning with joy motivate you to persevere in your faith and service to God? 4. What are some practical ways you can "sow seeds" in your community or church, and what might the "harvest" look like? 5. How do the additional scriptures connected to Psalm 126:6 deepen your understanding of God's promises and faithfulness? Connections to Other Scriptures Galatians 6:9This verse encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season, they will reap a harvest if they do not give up. It connects to the perseverance and eventual joy described in Psalm 126:6. Matthew 13:3-9The Parable of the Sower illustrates the different responses to the Word of God, emphasizing the importance of sowing seeds of faith. John 4:36Jesus speaks of the joy of the reaper, who gathers fruit for eternal life, highlighting the spiritual harvest. James 5:7Encourages patience like a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, paralleling the patience required in Psalm 126:6. Isaiah 55:10-11God's Word is likened to rain and snow that do not return void, but accomplish what He desires, similar to the seeds sown in Psalm 126:6. People Psalmist, SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics 127, Ascents, Bag, Basket, Beareth, Bearing, Bringing, Carrying, Certainly, Corded, Doubtless, Forth, Fro, Goes, Grain, Home, Indeed, Joy, Measure, Precious, Psalm, Rejoicing, Return, Scattering, Seed, Sheaves, Shout, Shouts, Singing, Solomon, Song, Songs, Sow, Sowing, Stems, Surely, Taking, Though, Vessel, Weepeth, WeepingDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 126:6 4412 binding corn
7963 song Psalm 126:4-6 4824 famine, spiritual Psalm 126:5-6 4464 harvest Library The Lost Silver Piece
But, my dear friends, the three parables recorded in this chapter are not repetitions; they all declare the same main truth, but each one reveals a different phase of it. The three parables are three sides of a vast pyramid of gospel doctrine, but there is a distinct inscription upon each. Not only in the similitude, but also in the teaching covered by the similitude, there is variety, progress, enlargement, discrimination. We have only need to read attentively to discover that in this trinity of …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871The Scattering of the People
[Illustration: (drop cap A) The Fish-god of Assyria and Babylonia] At last the full punishment for their many sins fell upon God's chosen people. The words of warning written in the fifth book of Moses had told them plainly that if they turned aside and worshipped the wicked idol-gods of Canaan, the Lord would take their country from them and drive them out into strange lands. Yet again and again they had yielded to temptation. And now the day of reckoning had come. Nebuchadnezzar, the great king …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Seed Growing Secretly.
"And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come."--MARK iv. 26-29. This is the only parable that is peculiar to Mark. The subjects contained in …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
Having already presented to your view the dark side of the text, I shall now show you the light side, They shall be comforted'. Where observe: 1 Mourning goes before comfort as the lancing of a wound precedes the cure. The Antinomian talks of comfort, but cries down mourning for sin. He is like a foolish patient who, having a pill prescribed him, licks the sugar but throws away the pill. The libertine is all for joy and comfort. He licks the sugar but throws away the bitter pill of repentance. If …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 126:6 NIVPsalm 126:6 NLTPsalm 126:6 ESVPsalm 126:6 NASBPsalm 126:6 KJV
Psalm 126:6 Commentaries
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